Making Files by Hand @KenHawleyCollectionTrust

Ken Hawley Collection Trust The late Ken Hawley tells us about the workstation used until the mid 19th century for making files by hand.

This is a short snippet, for the full video (which includes a demonstration) please email: enquiries@hawleytoolcollection.com

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com

updated 8 years ago

Making Files by Hand

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2016-06-08 | The late Ken Hawley tells us about the workstation used until the mid 19th century for making files by hand.

This is a short snippet, for the full video (which includes a demonstration) please email: enquiries@hawleytoolcollection.com

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com

George Bishop and John Watts (2024)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2024-07-27 | This film is of a lecture given by Nick Duggan on 24 July2024 at Kelham Island Museum, Sheffield in which he outlines the history and story of two Sheffield companies, George Bishop and John Watts. He illustrates the quite different progress of the two and the eventual family links between them.

Bishop's had a reputation for high quality cutlery and flatware reflecting the taste in designs at the end of the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries. Watts did have an interest in cutlery but they also hugely diversified into allied products ranging from Olympic standard ice skates to a range of furniture. The Watts building continues as a piece of the city's built heritage having been converted into apartments.

To see further details see also the entries on our Sheffield knives database - George Bishop is at hawleysheffieldknives.com/n-fulldetails.php?val=bI&kel=1428 and John Watts is at hawleysheffieldknives.com/n-fulldetails.php?val=w&kel=1638

The film was developed as part of the Sheffield Treasures Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

A website developed by our earlier project giving detail of the huge array of knife manufacturers in Sheffield over the last 200 years can be found at hawleysheffieldknives.com/. During 2022/23 this was further enhanced by the addition of information about spring and pocket knives as part of the latest NLHF project.

For further details about makers of Sheffield knives see our website at hawleysheffieldknives.com which provides essential data for anyone interested in Sheffield's knife heritage.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

The Story of Taylors Eye Witness (2024)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2024-02-12 | This film is of a lecture given by Nick Duggan on 7 February 2024 at Kelham Island Museum, Sheffield in which he outlines the history and story of the Taylor's Eye Witness brand of Sheffield cutlery. He tracks its progress from the early 19th century from its foundation by John Taylor and then James Veall through its partnership with Walter Tyzack leading to the creation of Needham, Veall & Tyzack and their use of the Taylor's Eye Witness brand amongst others.

The story ends with the company's eventual acquisition by Harrison Fisher to become a successful and continuing feature in the city's manufacturing legacy.

Taylor's Eye Witness has had a history of innovation in design, branding and marketing with a willingness to embrace new materials and product lines.

To see further details see also the entries on our Sheffield knives database - Needham, Veall & Tyzack at hawleysheffieldknives.com/n-fulldetails.php?val=nE&kel=422 and Harrison Fisher at hawleysheffieldknives.com/n-fulldetails.php?val=fI&kel=423

The film was developed as part of the Sheffield Treasures Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

A website developed by our earlier project giving detail of the huge array of table knife manufacturers in Sheffield over the last 200 years can be found at hawleysheffieldknives.com/. During 2022/23 this was further enhanced by the addition of information about spring and pocket knives as part of the latest NLHF project.

For further details about makers of Sheffield knives see our website at hawleysheffieldknives.com which provides essential data for anyone interested in Sheffield's knife heritage.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

Knives with Different Handle Scales (2023) - Showcasing Pen & Pocket Knives 3

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2024-01-22 | To celebrate 200 years of excellence in cutlery making in Sheffield since the original creation of the Joseph Rodgers Year Knife in 1821 a series of short films showcasing pen and pocket knife making was commissioned by the Ken Hawley Collection Trust. This was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The third film in the series illustrates the range of materials used in making the scales for pen and pocket knives. Knives are illustrated with ivory, mother of pearl, metal, mock tortoiseshell and platinum scales. The finer examples were often made for presentation purposes rather than practical use.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com

The Invention and Development of the Bessemer Converter (2023)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2024-01-16 | [Revised Sound Version]

A film of an online lecture originally given by David Eaton on 13 December 2023 at Kelham Island Museum, Sheffield.

Kelham Island Museum is the home of the last Bessemer Converter used at a steelworks at Workington in Cumbria until it was de-commissioned by British Steel in 1974. A copy of a film showing its final days in Workington can be seen at youtu.be/qJ3aTpKMmfQ?si=uTFwNPSlEzsrRkTV

Whilst the lecture is on a topic not directly associated with the Hawley Collection focus on tools, Bessemer's work was central to the evolution of high quality steel that was the foundation of Sheffield's tool making trades.

The lecture followed the evolution of Bessemer's invention as well as the controversies it also generated.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com

Knives for Different Purposes (2023) - Showcasing Pen & Pocket Knives 2

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2024-01-15 | To celebrate 200 years of excellence in cutlery making in Sheffield since the original creation of the Joseph Rodgers Year Knife in 1821 a series of short films showcasing pen and pocket knife making was commissioned by the Ken Hawley Collection Trust. This was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The second film in the series displays the huge range of knives produced for a wide range of purposes - surgical knives, farming and gardening, multi blade knives, fruit knives, novelty and souvenir blades, miniature and small blades for exhibition and presentation, folding knives for general tasks and knives for soldiers and sailors.

A wide range of Sheffield makers are illustrated including W & H Hutchinson, Saynor, James Barber, George Ibberson, J. Gibbins & Son, Nowill & Sons, Atkinson Brothers, Jenner & Knewstub, John Hall & Son, Wingfield, Rowbotham & Wade, Stan Shaw, L Lee, William Needham, Herbert Lee, Perry & Co. Ltd, Furniss of Stannington, H Siddall, McLung & Co, Rowbotham & Co, Butler and Richards of Sheffield.

For further details about makers of Sheffield knives see our website at hawleysheffieldknives.com which provides essential data for anyone interested in Sheffield's knife heritage.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

Knives made by Joseph Rodgers (2023) - Showcasing Pen & Pocket Knives 1

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2024-01-08 | To celebrate 200 years of excellence in cutlery making in Sheffield since the original creation of the Joseph Rodgers Year Knife in 1821 a series of short films showcasing pen and pocket knife making was commissioned by the Ken Hawley Collection Trust. This was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The first film in the series features a range of knives made by Joseph Rodgers in their 100 year heyday between 1822 and the end of the First World War. Rodgers’ catalogues were packed with every type of knife imaginable. Pocket knives were made in scores of different styles. Their slogan remained ‘The Knife of Kings – The King of Knives’.

The downfall of Rodgers was fed by their reluctance to invest in new methods of production to save costs and their insistence on high quality at high cost faced a shrinking market.

For further details about makers of Sheffield knives see our website at hawleysheffieldknives.com which provides essential data for anyone interested in Sheffield's knife heritage.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

The Joseph Rodgers Year Knife (2023) - Showcasing Pen & Pocket Knives 4

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2024-01-01 | To celebrate 200 years of excellence in cutlery making in Sheffield since the original creation of the Joseph Rodgers Year Knife in 1821 a series of short films showcasing pen and pocket knife making was commissioned by the Ken Hawley Collection Trust. This was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

2023 also marked the transfer of ownership of the knife to the Trust from its previous owners, Stanley Black & Decker. Their generosity of gifting the knife to the Trust now ensures the knife will be kept in Sheffield in perpetuity for future generations to enjoy. The Rodgers Year Knife is truly one of Sheffield's Treasures, representing the amazing craft skills and heritage of the city for which it has a world wide reputation.

Although 4th in the series, it is the first film to be released. Filmed in high definition for the first time it offers a 360° view of the knife without visiting Sheffield to see it.

In the nineteenth century, Rodgers had an unsurpassed reputation and a history that was said to have been synonymous with the cutlery trade itself. In 1724, a ‘house workshop’ was rented to John Rodgers (1701-15 January 1785) for seven guineas a year, at Holy (or Hawley) Croft, a backstreet off Campo Lane, near the present Cathedral (Leader, 1905). In 1724, the Company of Cutlers ‘let’ a mark to John Rodgers – a Star and Maltese Cross (originally registered to another cutler in 1682) – which the family was to make world famous. The mark was confirmed in 1764.

Following an introduction to King George IV in 1821, Rodgers was awarded its first Royal Warrant the following year. The exhibition knife which came to be known as the Year Knife, was made in 1821-22, probably for the opening of their Norfolk Street showroom which opened around that time.

There is no evidence to suggest when it was created that blades would be added. The structure of the knife is based on 'cubes' of springs and blades, a system which seems to have been developed James Crawshaw and referred to as 'quadrangular'. Thomas Champion's advert in the 1828 trade directory mentions this as “the principle of which is adapted to any number of uses, and which has been adopted for all the show knives in various parts of the kingdom”.

It is not known whether the knife was exhibited at the Great Exhibition 1851, along with the Norfolk Knife. In fact nothing is heard of the knife from the late 1820s in the trade directories until the late 19th century when the story of adding a blade for every year is firmly established. There are many references to this and the putting in of blades every five years. The Norfolk Street showrooms were disposed of in 1929 after which the knife was possibly less in public view.

With the decline and eventual closure of Joseph Rodgers as an independent business in 1968 both the Year Knife and Norfolk Knife were put up for sale. No doubt to the consternation of many at the time no attempt was made to acquire the Year Knife for the city from public funds. However, Stanley Tools stepped in and acquired the knife in 1969 for £2,500 at Sotheby's.

The knife was restored by Stan Shaw at the time and the knife was exhibited by Stanleys at their Woodside Works as well as being used in promotions and loaned out for exhibitions.

Following the closure of Woodside, Ken Hawley gained a promise that the knife would be entrusted to the care of the Hawley Collection. This was achieved when the new Hawley Gallery opened at Kelham Island Museum in 2010. Until then the knife was housed at Cutlers Hall.

For further details about makers of Sheffield knives see our website at hawleysheffieldknives.com which provides essential data for anyone interested in Sheffield's knife heritage.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

Little Mesters Sculpture; a tribute to generations of Sheffield cutlers (2023)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2023-09-15 | This short film shows how a new ‘Little Mester’ sculpture by Yorkshire scrap metal artist, Jason Heppenstall, was developed and installed at Kelham Island Museum, as part of our National Lottery Heritage Funded ‘Sheffield Treasures’ project. The sculpture was created between October 2022 and March 2023, and it is now on permanent display in The Hawley Gallery at Kelham Island Museum Sheffield.

The project, which is aimed at showcasing and celebrating 200 years of excellence in cutlery making in Sheffield, is led by volunteers from the independent Ken Hawley Collection Trust, which is based at Kelham Island Museum.

The remarkable, life-sized sculpture, depicts the figure of a self-employed craftsman, known as a ‘Little Mester’, at work at his bench, all made from scrap steel, tools and reclaimed wood. The sculpture is not based on any one in particular, but is a tribute to the generations of ‘Little Mesters’ who made the city famous for knives and cutlery from the 1700 and 1800s.

Jason Heppenstall explaining how it was made said “I’m absolutely chuffed to bits with the final result which has taken two months to complete. The trousers are made from Sheffield spanners, the boots from re-forged blacksmiths tongues and his waistcoat is made from a number of large files or rasps, which used to be common in Sheffield. His shirt, head and hands are all from scrap mild steel and his apron is my old workbench. He’s working at an old vice which came from the Hawley Collection and the bench is made from reclaimed timber".

Jason is now a celebrated artist and his works have been sold to collectors and institutions in France, Spain, the USA and several in London. His best-known works in this region, are the ‘Salmon of Steel’ at Sheffield’s main Railway Station and ‘Allen the Peregrine Falcon’ at the University of Sheffield.

His sculpture is complemented by work from local students at the University Technical College Sheffield who were also involved in the project. They have made tools to add to the sculpture. These tools represent an interactive element where tokens, designed and made by the students, represent all that is good about Sheffield build up to form various bench tools.

The total number of tokens is 2023 representing one for every year of the calendar shadowing the Year Knife one of the Hawley Collection Exhibition knives that has over 2000 blades. This celebrated its bi -centenary last year and was the original inspiration for the project.

The short video was put together by James Elliott, a student at King Edward VII School, Sheffield

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com

Pen and Pocket Knives (2023)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2023-08-11 | Lecture originally given by Nick Duggan on 28 June 2023 at Kelham Island Museum. It provides an overview of the development of the pen and pocket knife industry in Sheffield, and provides an insight to the trade's rural roots as well as the large scale manufacturing. From such a firm foundation with a world wide reputation, the industry saw a marked decline but was that fashion, price or resistance to change?

Reference is made to the continuing skills in the city albeit reduced to a few practitioners. The lecture forms the backdrop to a new exhibition in the Hawley Gallery as part of its Heritage Lottery funded project celebrating the 200th anniversary of the famous multi-bladed Rodgers' Year Knife.

For further details about makers of Sheffield knives see our website at hawleysheffieldknives.com which provides essential data for anyone interested in Sheffield's knife heritage.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

File Making - A Great Sheffield Industry That Is No More (2023)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2023-05-30 | David Eaton originally gave this lectiure on 3 May 2023 at Kelham Island Museum. In it he explores the history of key element of Sheffield tool manufacturing that literally 'shaped' the world; but is no more. He explains how file making evolved and explains the skill of hand file cutting which was eventually taken over by machine. Mention is made of Ralston's the last known Sheffield file manufacturer who eventually closed in 1991.

The ultimate skill of a file cutter is revealed in the work of Hiram Younge and his Exhibition files but the hidden danger of lead poisoning led to his premature death as well as many others in the trade.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com

Story of the Sheffield Safety Razor Industry (2023)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2023-04-22 | This film of a lecture given by Doug Hindmarch on 22 March 2023 outlines the origins of the safety razor industry in Sheffield. It identifies the development of the razor in various forms and the scale and range of different companies involved.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com

Joseph Bramah - Locks, Water Power & Precision (2023)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2023-04-22 | This film is of a lecture given by Tim Brown on 1 February 2023 in which he discusses the life and works of Joseph Bramah from Stainborough who was involved in a number of inventions concerning toilets, fire engines, locks and hydraulic power at the end of the 18th and start of the 19th Centuries.

Tim's lecture follows his curation of an exhibition held at Kelham Island which celebrated the life of Joseph Bramah. The exhibition was supported by the Newcomen Society and included exhibits from Barnsley Museums, The Royal Institution, Bramah Security Equipment Ltd and Harrolds of Sheffield (Locksmiths).

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

Joseph Rodgers Year Knife (2022)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2022-11-19 | This film is of a lecture given by Nick Duggan on 9 November 2022 celebrating the 200th anniversary of the making of the Joseph Rodger's Year Knife initiated in Sheffield in 1822. With blades added since to represent the passing years, the final blade was added in 2000 to mark the Millennium.

The knife is on display in the Hawley Gallery at Kelham Island Museum where it is kindly on extended loan from Stanley Black & Decker who purchased the knife when Joseph Rodgers ceased business as an independent company.

The knife illustrates all the skill of various Sheffield craftspeople over many years, not just in blade forging and grinding but in the associated trades of pocket and spring knife manufacture. It is true to say that the knife is unique and there will never be another like it. It is truly one of Sheffield's treasures.

The lecture provides additional background as to the development of the Joseph Rodgers brand with its use of a range of exhibition knives, royal endorsement and an impressive showrooms to market and sell the company's products. Reference is also made to another world famous Rodgers' knife - the Norfolk Knife which was produced to exhibit in the Great Exhibition of 1851. This is currently exhibited in Cutlers Hall in Sheffield.

The film was developed as part of the Sheffield Treasures Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

A website developed by our earlier project giving detail of the huge array of table knife manufacturers in Sheffield over the last 200 years can be found at hawleysheffieldknives.com/. During 2022/23 this was further enhanced by the addition of information about spring and pocket knives as part of the latest NLHF project.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

Ken Talks Tools 5 - Animal Husbandry (2008)

Ken Talks Tools 4 - Plantation Tools (2008)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2022-10-20 | The best way of mining Ken Hawley's vast knowledge of tools and their making was to sit him down in front of an array of material from the Collection. This is one of a small series of films in which he shares his passion for tools and tool making.

Ken explores a variety of tools held in the Collection that would have been used in work on plantations around the world. Ken's unique style and knowledge blend to enable a fascinating and knowledgeable short film in which he looks at a wide variety of objects used in plantations world -wide.

Whilst Ken acknowledges the enormous scale of what was supplied, current reflections on who used them and how the work in plantations are carried out raises serious questions for many about the role of such industries in benefitting from where it involved possibly the employment of slaves and indentured labour.

The film was produced originally by Jeff Warner.

The film was produced from material recoded in 2008 as part of the 'Working with the Collector' Project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

Ken Talks Tools 3/3 - Transport Tools: Part 3 Railways (2008)

Ken Talks Tools 3/2 - Transport Tools: Part 2 Maritime (2008)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2022-10-20 | The best way of mining Ken Hawley's vast knowledge of tools and their making was to sit him down in front of an array of material from the Collection. This is one of a small series of films in which he shares his passion for tools and tool making.

Sheffield may not be near the sea, but right across its industries maritime needs were serviced whether it be armour plate for naval vessels or tools for use in a variety of settings on board. This film explores the hand tools used in work at sea or at dockside for keeping vessels seaworthy. Ken's unique style and knowledge blend to enable a fascinating and knowledgeable short film.

The film was produced originally by Jeff Warner.

The film was produced from material recoded in 2008 as part of the 'Working with the Collector' Project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

Ken Talks Tools 3/1 - Transport Tools: Part 1 Horses (2008)

Ken Talks Tools 2 - Land Management (2008)

Ken Talks Tools 1 - Foreign Measures (2008)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2022-10-20 | The best way of mining Ken Hawley's vast knowledge of tools and their making was to sit him down in front of an array of material from the Collection. This is one of a small series of films in which he shares his passion for tools and tool making.

In a world now dominated largely by standardised measuring systems, Ken explores the wide variety of foreign measuring scales and how they were used in a variety of different measures. Ken's unique style and knowledge blend to enable a fascinating and knowledgeable short film.

The film was produced originally by Jeff Warner.

The film was produced from material recoded in 2008 as part of the 'Working with the Collector' Project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

Joseph Elliot (2022)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2022-08-08 | This film of an online lecture given by Nick Duggan on 20 July 2022 tracks the rise of Joseph Elliot & Sons from their late 18th Century origins in Sheffield to be a major force in the city's knife making heritage. Of particular interest in its expansion was its acquisition of a very wide range of trade marks as it bought out other companies based in the city.

Amongst its acquisitions were Lockwood Brothers, I & H Sorby, Thomas Ellin & Co, John Wigfall & Co, C E Nixon and John Barber. Even until the 1930s the company was run by a tight group of family member. Despite innovation which enabled it to resist economic change longer than many the company was evetually wound up in 1998.

The film was developed as part of the Name on the Knife Blade Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The website developed by the project giving detail of the huge array of table knife manufacturers in Sheffield over the last 200 years can be found at hawleysheffieldknives.com

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

W & S Butcher (2022)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2022-06-29 | A film of an online lecture about one of Sheffield's most famous and prolific blade manufacturers in the 19th and 20th centuries. The expansion of the W & S Butcher brand is outlined and its especial impact on the North American market . The lecture was originally given by Nick Duggan on 16 March 2022.

The specific focus on quality meant the firm's razors were much sought after and have indeed remained as much sought after collector's items even today. Their legacy is still enshrined in the now restored Butcher Works providing new offices, shops and apartments.

The film was developed as part of the Name on the Knife Blade Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The website developed by the project giving detail of the huge array of table knife manufacturers in Sheffield over the last 200 years can be found at hawleysheffieldknives.com

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

Three Sheffield Precision Tool Manufacturers (2022)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2022-05-31 | A film of an online lecture originally given by David Eaton on 25 May 2022 at Kelham Island Museum, Sheffield.

From the late 19th century to the middle of the 20th century Sheffield was a centre of excellence in the design, development and manufacture of precision measuring tools. In this context precision implies being able to measure accurately to at least one thousandth of an inch.

The three Sheffield companies of James Chesterman, Moore & Wright and Shardlow were of major importance, especially during WW1 and WW2 when Britain urgently needed to manufacture high precision products for the war effort. Products of this kind included parts for aircraft engines and state of the art armaments which had to be made accurately to specific tolerances for interchangeable manufacturing purposes.

The Hawley Collection houses a comprehensive range of measuring tools made by these three companies. Included in the collection are over 300 different designs of micrometers and an impressive range of Vernier calliper gauges and height gauges. Some of the equipment used in the manufacture of these tools is also part of the Collection. These include a SIP linear dividing engine used by James Chesterman to make precision Vernier scales, slip gauges, surface plates and go/no-go gauges.

Over the years many innovative products have been collected including a Moore & Wright Braille micrometer and a Braille calliper gauge which was a joint venture between Moore & Wright and James Chesterman. These are supported by engineering drawings and patent information. They were used by service people who had been blinded in WW2 and who wished to return to their peace time jobs as quality inspectors. It is highly likely that these products would have been commissioned by the RNIB.

Also included is a range of height gauges, designed by the brilliant engineer Tom Bailey of James Chesterman, with specially sectioned columns that can measure heights up to 48 inches to an accuracy of one thousandth of an inch without any appreciable deflection taking place.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com

Pearl, Horn and Ivory from around the World to Sheffield Cutlery (2022)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2022-04-13 | A film of an online lecture tracking the extensive use of mother of pearl, ivory and horn in making handles tor Sheffield cutlery in the 19th and 20th centuries. The variety of products and the skills to make them is explored but the decline and disappearance of the companies involved is also sadly tracked . The lecture was originally given by Nick Duggan on 13 April 2022.

The impact of the huge quantities of pearl, ivory and horn used in the processes is also acknowledged

The film was developed as part of the Name on the Knife Blade Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The website developed by the project giving detail of the huge array of table knife manufacturers in Sheffield over the last 200 years can be found at hawleysheffieldknives.com

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

A Tale of Two Diamonds [William Marples & Sons] (2022)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2022-02-25 | Online lecture about Plane Making at William Marples & Sons originally given by Barry Chambers on 23 February 2022..

The Hawley Collection comprises a vast array of hand tools, catalogues and company records which were amassed by the late Ken Hawley over a period of more than 50 years.

Much of Barry Chambers' work as a volunteer has been concerned with cleaning, conserving and cataloguing more than 1,000 wooden wood-working planes, which were made between about 1740 and 1960. Some of these were made in Sheffield by William Marples & Sons, who also made or sold a wide range of other hand tools both in the UK and abroad.

In his talk, he explores the Marples company history, explains how their wooden planes were hand-made and tries to identify some of its former craftsmen and uncover their social history.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com

Wostenholm (2021)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2021-10-28 | Online lecture about George Wostenholm and his company's famous IXL brand originally given by Nick Duggan on 26 October 2021. Wostenholm, originally Wolstenholme, developed his business in the 19th century selling especially to the US market. Like many the brand went into decline towards the end of the 20th century, albeit the brand continues via another Sheffield company to this day.

George Wostenholm was a character and the success of the brand had much to do with his personal drive and energy as a salesman. However knives were not the only mark he left on the city and his legacy as a property owner and developer can still be seen in the Nether Edge/Kenwood area of the city to this day

The lecture highlights the huge product range the company developed and reveals the personality of George Wostenholm who was behind the name.

The film was developed as part of the Name on the Knife Blade Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The website developed by the project giving detail of the huge array of table knife manufacturers in Sheffield over the last 200 years can be found at hawleysheffieldknives.com

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our main website: hawleytoolcollection.com

Mappin & Webb (2021)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2021-10-06 | A film of an online lecture tracking the history of Mappin & Webb from their Sheffield roots to an international brand. Mappin & Webb sought to position itself as high quality luxury brand, not just in the UK, but through a large network of international showrooms. The lecture was originally given by Nick Duggan on 29 September 2021. In addition to tracking the fortunes of the company, the lecture explored the huge range of products and the development of their design.

Founded by Jonathan Mappin in 1774, the company grew to have over a 1,000 employees in Sheffield by the early 20th century. It joined other famous Sheffield brands in a sharp decline after the Second World War, eventually passing through various owners to survive as a brand to the present day. Whilst the brand survives, little of what it now sells is manufactured in Sheffield.

The film was developed as part of the Name on the Knife Blade Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The website developed by the project giving detail of the huge array of table knife manufacturers in Sheffield over the last 200 years can be found at hawleysheffieldknives.com

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

Victorian Tea (2021)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2021-10-06 | This film of an online lecture explores how the Victorians served afternoon tea using a variety of different cutlery, flatware and holloware produced by a huge industry based in Sheffield in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Not just the serving of a simple hot drink, the ritual provided Sheffield manufacturers with an opportunity to show their flair for design and innovation to expand their range of products and markets.

The lecture was originally given by Nick Duggan on on 15 September 2021.

The film was developed as part of the Name on the Knife Blade Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The website developed by the project giving detail of the huge array of table knife manufacturers in Sheffield over the last 200 years can be found at hawleysheffieldknives.com

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

Rodgers and Richards (2021)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2021-10-06 | Originally given as an online lecture, this film compares and contrasts the fortunes of two Sheffield cutlery giants - Joseph Rodgers and Richards of Sheffield. Rodgers originating from 1682, focused on high quality products and markets, whilst Richards was a relative newcomer. It was German in origin, only arriving in Sheffield in the 1930s focussing on modern mass production techniques to produce cheap and lower quality products.

However both eventually foundered, operating their final years in Sheffield within the same company!

The lecture was originally given by Doug Hindmarch on on 21 July 2021.

The film was developed as part of the Name on the Knife Blade Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The website developed by the project giving detail of the huge array of table knife manufacturers in Sheffield over the last 200 years can be found at hawleysheffieldknives.com

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

The Story of James Dixon & Sons (2021)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2021-06-23 | Online lecture about the rise and fall of James Dixon & Sons originally given by Nick Duggan on 9 June 2021. It tracks the origins and history of another of the famous and largest companies involved in cutlery, Britannia metal and silver plated flatware in Sheffield.

Founded by James Dixon in 1804 the company grew quickly to become established in 1822 at a new factory in Cornish Place. It was still managed by a 5th generation Dixon until his death in 1976 but it quickly collapsed after that closing with debts of £1m in 1982. Unlike other works Cornish Works continued as a significant presence after conversion to residential apartments.

The lecture highlights the huge product range the company developed and reveals the people behind the name.

The film was developed as part of the Name on the Knife Blade Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The website developed by the project giving detail of the huge array of table knife manufacturers in Sheffield over the last 200 years can be found at hawleysheffieldknives.com

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our main website: hawleytoolcollection.com

1. A Short History of the Table Knife [Rev] (2019)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2021-04-07 | This is the first of four short films covering aspects of the history, development and making of table knives in Sheffield. This one provides a short history of the evolution of knives from flint blades to their more modern forms in metal and plastic of today. The changes in shape and style over the centuries is illustrated.

The short film series was developed as part of the Name on the Knife Blade Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The website developed by the project giving detail of the huge array of table knife manufacturers in Sheffield over the last 200 years can be found at hawleysheffieldknives.com

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our main website: hawleytoolcollection.com

3. Materials Used for Table Knives (2020)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2021-04-07 | This is the third of four short films covering aspects of the history, development and making of table knives in Sheffield. This film identifies the various materials used for the blade as well as following the evolution of ideas for providing handles on table knives. The changes in materials also references the changes in taste for design as well.

The short film series was developed as part of the Name on the Knife Blade Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The website developed by the project giving detail of the huge array of table knife manufacturers in Sheffield over the last 200 years can be found at hawleysheffieldknives.com

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our main website: hawleytoolcollection.com

4. Making Handles for Table Knives (2021)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2021-04-07 | This is the fourth of four short films covering aspects of the history, development and making of table knives in Sheffield. Following on from the third in the series this film provides further detail about the making of handles for knives and provides a guide to the terminology and processes used for their fixing toi the blades.

The short film series was developed as part of the Name on the Knife Blade Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The website developed by the project giving detail of the huge array of table knife manufacturers in Sheffield over the last 200 years can be found at hawleysheffieldknives.com

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our main website: hawleytoolcollection.com

A Cutlers Dozen [Rev] (2019)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2021-04-07 | There were hundreds of different knife cutlers in Sheffield over the last three centuries. This brief presentation reveals pictures and locations for what might be regarded as the top 'Cutlers Dozen'.

A Cutler’s Dozen

“One of the earliest strikes, in 1787, centred around the efforts of table knife workers to stop the new practice of thirteen items being counted as a dozen.

The final significant cause of industrial disputes, which was another traditional handicraft remnant and which had been gradually distorted by the employers in their favour, was the practice of counting more than twelve items as a dozen.

Originally twelve and a half, thirteen or fourteen blades had been counted as a dozen to allow for 'wasters' or blades that were spoilt in the process of production. The extra count ensured that any spoilt blades could be replaced out of the extras, rather than necessitating the production of another dozen, just to replace one 'waster'. However, 'wasters' gradually came to be charged on top of these extra counts, and whilst improved production techniques virtually eliminated 'wasters', the extra counts remained. Once more, these counts differed ‘according to the bargain’, or the strength of the men involved.

As part of their general opposition to deductions, the trade unions mounted a vigorous campaign against extra counts, claiming that they represented ‘the old world employers' idea of speeding up’.

Manufacturers denied this: overcounts were said to be allowed for in the price lists, which were altered accordingly; demand for their abolition was merely a tactical and emotive way of demanding a wage increase, shielding ‘behind an appeal to the eighteenth century’.

However, with the excellent trade and enhanced unity and vision which marked the period 1911-13, most unions experienced little difficulty in obtaining price lists in which twelve items were defined as a dozen.”

If you have a different top dozen please let us know.

The film was developed as part of the Name on the Knife Blade Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The website developed by the project giving detail of the huge array of table knife manufacturers in Sheffield over the last 200 years can be found at hawleysheffieldknives.com

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our main website: hawleytoolcollection.com

Stainless Steel and the Sheffield Cutlery Trade [Rev] (2020)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2021-04-07 | This video provides a brief history of the origins of stainless steel in Sheffield, the contribution of Harry Brearley to its discovery and the impact it had on the production of cutlery in the period after the First World War.

The film was developed as part of the Name on the Knife Blade Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The website developed by the project giving detail of the huge array of table knife manufacturers in Sheffield over the last 200 years can be found at hawleysheffieldknives.com

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our main website: hawleytoolcollection.com

The Rise and Fall of Walker & Hall (2021)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2021-04-07 | Online lecture about the rise and fall of Walker & Hall originally given by Nick Duggan on 10 February 2021. It tracks the origins and history of arguably one of the most famous and arguably largest companies involved in cutlery and silver plated flatware in Sheffield.

Founded by George Walker in 1845 he was joined by Henry Hall in 1853. It was dominant in the late 19th and early 20th century, but its decline began soon after the First World War and like others it failed to modernise and effectively compete in the world market. 1965 saw the demolition of the majestic Electro Works in Sheffield city centre and the company ceased to produce in the local area by 1971.

The lecture highlights the huge product range the company developed and reveals the people behind the name.

The film was developed as part of the Name on the Knife Blade Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The website developed by the project giving detail of the huge array of table knife manufacturers in Sheffield over the last 200 years can be found at hawleysheffieldknives.com

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our main website: hawleytoolcollection.com

The Hawley Tool Collection - Ken Barraclough Memorial Lecture (2021)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2021-04-07 | Lecture on the Hawley Tool Collection given by Keith Crawshaw, Chair of the Ken Hawley Tool Collection Trust on 16 March 2021. The lecture was to the Sheffield Metallurgical & Engineering Association (SMEA) as their Ken Barraclough Memorial Lecture for 2021.

The lecture is also available as a recording from the actual lecture by SMEA at youtube.com/watch?v=k3wzD38Lhb8&t=989s

The lecture describes the history and development of the Collection and its aspiration to be the world's most comprehensive collection of primarily Sheffield made hand tools and authoritative source on tools and associated manufacture & trade materials.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com

2. The Manufacture of Sheffield Table Knives (2004)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2021-04-07 | This is the second of four short films covering aspects of the history, development and making of table knives in Sheffield. This one focusses on the processes and manufacture of knives within Sheffield illustrating the traditional terminology and stages stages of production with images and film clips.

The short film series was developed as part of the Name on the Knife Blade Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The website developed by the project giving detail of the huge array of table knife manufacturers in Sheffield over the last 200 years can be found at hawleysheffieldknives.com

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our main website: hawleytoolcollection.com

Hand Forging Tea Pruners - William & Joseph Truelove (c1960)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2020-10-09 | William and Joseph Truelove were the sons of Herbert Truelove (1882 – 1938) who was originally a Pocket Blade Forger. Amongst their specialities was hand pruner forging and the film is believed to be of them at Crabtree Works forging tea pruner blades.

The forge continued in operation, after William and Joseph, by their younger brother Stuart (1922 -1997) who specialised in forging hunting knives.

Crabtree Works is a Grade II listed building and was converted c2001 into a family residence.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com

Moulding Plane Maker - Norman Bayliss (1962)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2020-10-02 | Norman Bayliss was the last beechwood moulding plane maker at William Marples. Born in 1921, after leaving school, he went to go and work with his father, Jesse, at William Marples.

In the early years of Norman’s career at Marples, he was called up into the Royal Engineers during World War 2. He later returned back to Marples after the war ended. He retired at the age of 65, after which he moved to St Ives, Cambridgeshire where he died in 2005.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com

Sickle Forging (c1965)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2020-09-26 | This film is a compilation of two films from the Hawley Collection. The first one is a brief introduction to sickles and reaping hooks by Ken Hawley and this is followed by footage filmed of sickle forging at Webster & Senior (Morsens), Prospect Works, 132-140 Prospect Road, Sheffield. Sadly the forging film has no commentary.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com

Scythe Forging at Sheffield and Belbroughton

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2020-09-19 | Ken Hawley introduces the viewer to the history of scythe forging (please note there is a typo in the date given, it was made in 2008 and not 2018!). He starts by looking at some of the scythes in the Hawley Collection describing the types and their process of forging. This is followed by three films illustrating a now lost process of scythe grinding.

His narration draws attention to the connection between the forging undertaken in Sheffield and the last scythe forging works which was at Belbroughton in Worcestershire.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com

Hand Forging Surgical Instruments - Pete Goss (2006)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2020-09-08 | Pete Goss continues to work at his forge down at Kelham Island Museum. This film shows him practically demonstrating his skill as a hand forger to Ken Hawley whose enthusiasm for explaining the processes involved shines through. Pete's particular specialism is hand forging precision surgical instruments.

The film adds to a series filmed in the mid-1960s which Ken Hawley inspired. Ken had a continuing concern that he was witnessing the disappearance of a wide range of craft skills on which Sheffield's reputation had been built over the two previous centuries.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com

Hand Forged Silver Cutlery - C.W. Fletcher (Silversmiths) Ltd (1980)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2020-09-06 | C W Fletcher & Sons was registered in May 1894 at the Sterling Works, Sheffield. In 1907 the company acquired Brewis & Co, a London silversmiths which led to C W Fletcher becoming a limited company and in 1908 the company moved to Sheffield. The film shows at the time it was made that the company were one of the last makers of silver cutlery by hand.

The company was taken over in March 2002 and is now known as Fletcher Robinson Ltd and still makes silver cutlery.

One of the series of South Yorkshire County Council sponsored films commissioned from Sheffield Independent Film and the Sheffield City Polytechnic to document ‘little mester’ trades. This film was No.9 in the series entitled 'Trades & Crafts'.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com

Table Knife Cutler - Frank Carr (1993)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2020-09-06 | Frank Carr working as a table knife cutler was filmed at Joseph Elliot & Sons (Sheffield) Ltd, Sylvester Works, Sylvester Street, Sheffield. Elliot’s was one of the last outliers in the city to continue in the traditional methods of making cutlery. Founded in 1795 it was finally closed down in 1998.

The film is part of a series entitled 'Masters of Metalworking' commissioned by Sheffield City Council's Ruskin Gallery working closely with Ken Hawley who is the narrator on this particular film. It was originally released on no.4 of the series of films in 1993.

The film is made available by kind permission of the Sheffield Galleries & Museums Trust who now manage some of the city's museums on behalf of the City Council.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com

Tea Pot Handle Maker - Frank Watts (1979)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2020-09-06 | Frank Watts working at Sellers Wheel Yard on Arundel Street sets up on his last day of work before retiring from the teapot handle trade. He finishes the process by attaching the cast handle to a famous Sheffield plate teapot, and just like that his workshop and the family company of five generations, draws to a close.

One of the series of South Yorkshire County Council sponsored films commissioned from Sheffield Independent Film and the Sheffield City Polytechnic to document ‘little mester’ trades. This film was No.8 in the series entitled 'Trades & Crafts'.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com

Blade Forger - Albert Craven (1979)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2020-09-06 | Albert Craven had retired to Bridlington after after 72 years in the industry as one of the last maker of hand-forged knife blade forger in the city. He laments the passing of his trade providing a vivid demonstration of his skill one last time.

One of the series of South Yorkshire County Council sponsored films commissioned from Sheffield Independent Film and the Sheffield City Polytechnic to document ‘little mester’ trades. This film was No.7 in the series entitled 'Trades & Crafts'.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com

Silver Spinning - Steve Gifford (1979)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2020-09-06 | Steve Gifford shows how metal can be formed in round shapes by spinning out of sheet metal.

One of the series of South Yorkshire County Council sponsored films commissioned from Sheffield Independent Film and the Sheffield City Polytechnic to document ‘little mester’ trades. This film was No.6 in the series entitled 'Trades & Crafts'.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com

Silver Chaser - Bill Richardson (1978)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2020-09-06 | Bill Richardson is shown working as a silver chaser producing fine commissioned designs on silverware by punching and hammering decorative pattern to the surface. It is labour intensive and expensive to produce.

One of the series of South Yorkshire County Council sponsored films commissioned from Sheffield Independent Film and the Sheffield City Polytechnic to document ‘little mester’ trades. This film was No.5 in the series entitled 'Trades & Crafts'.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com

Millstone Dresser - Thomas Devey (1977)

Ken Hawley Collection Trust 2020-09-06 | Thomas Devey spent all his employed life at Worsbrough Mill near Barnsley and was at the time of filming retired. The film shows him demonstrating the craft of millstone dressing which is ‘the act of cutting, then maintaining the pattern of furrows and flat lands between them which sit on the grinding faces on the millstones’. Although his trade served flour milling, dressing stone in this manner was also relevant to other trades across South Yorkshire.

One of the series of South Yorkshire County Council sponsored films commissioned from Sheffield Independent Film and the Sheffield City Polytechnic to document ‘little mester’ trades. This film was No.4 in the series entitled 'Trades & Crafts'.

To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: hawleytoolcollection.com

See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com